Vermonter aided livelihoods after flood
Katie Trautz’s steady and methodical care for those around her proved to be just what her city needed when tragedy struck. She took on a role that didn’t exist – helping an entire community recover after a natural disaster.
Vermont’s capital, Montpelier, was among the hardest hit by flooding in July. Days of torrential rains caused the Winooski River to overflow its banks and rise to five feet above street level. Retail inventory, restaurant equipment and prized possessions were all wiped out in first floors and basements of businesses and homes. Two Vermont lives were lost, including one from the neighboring town of Barre.
In the days that followed, there was an immense amount of work to be done but residents and business owners had a difficult time knowing where to start. Muddy sediment covered the roads and had washed into structures. Mail and trash services were interrupted, and municipal water had been contaminated. There was too much repair work for contractors and hardware stores to handle all at once.
Residents and business owners were unsure if they should wait to clean up until insurance providers had taken a look at the damage, how to access Federal
Emergency Management Agency money or apply for small business disaster loans. Much of the city was shuttered once again, after many businesses were just finding their footing following a post-pandemic reopening.
During a time of despair and confusion, Trautz offered information, answers and forward momentum, often going door to door to assess the needs of Montpelier’s business community. As executive director for Montpelier Alive, an organization that in normal times promotes downtown businesses, tourism and the arts, Trautz took on much more and is being credited by many in Montpelier for preserving their livelihoods.
Trautz is USA TODAY’s Woman of the Year for Vermont.
This story has been edited for length and clarity.
Question: Who paved the way for you, or who did you pave the way for?
Answer: I immediately think about my parents and how they paved the way for me and my brother. They were great examples of hard workers, kind, thoughtful people who were definitely role models and very supportive on my life journey.
What is your proudest moment and do you have a lowest moment?
One of my proudest moments is watching Montpelier come back after the flood and wandering the streets and noticing how vibrant it actually feels now compared to four or five months ago. And really feeling the community spirit that brought us to where we are.
One of the low moments I’ve experienced since the July floods here in Montpelier is hearing the voices of the businesses and community members as they felt so disheartened and hopeless after this disaster and feeling very lost within that. And me not being able to always guide them forward. I’ve also experienced a low moment of wanting to show up and do my best at any given time, but when there is so much on my shoulders it’s really hard to show up and be a great parent, be there for my community and be a support for the business community and downtown Montpelier all at the same time.
What is your definition of courage?
My definition of courage is showing up and doing the work that needs to be done in the face of challenge. Not being afraid to face the challenge but also taking the measures that are needed to do the best work that we can at those times.
Is there a guiding principle or mantra that you tell yourself ?
Doing the best that we can. I tell myself that all the time because I know that it won’t always be perfect and it won’t always be exactly the solution or the answer as a result, but I hope to do the best I can in any given moment.*